Andrea Pirlo has officially left Juventus for New York City, both clubs have confirmed.

The Italy international spent four years with Juve in Serie A, and will link up in midfield with new team-mate Frank Lampard in Major League Soccer from July 21.

Pirlo is expected to sign an 18-month contract, and told their official website: 'I have been wanting this experience for a long time and now that the opportunity materialised I wanted to take it.

Andrea Pirlo has officially left Juventus for New York City with the MLS club uploading this to their website

Pirlo has officially left Juventus for New York City, both clubs have confirmed on their official websites

Pirlo will link up in midfield with new team-mate Frank Lampard in Major League Soccer from July 21

Pirlo was at Yankee Stadium to watch New York City lose in their derby against Red Bulls last week

The Italian World Cup winner (centre) has completed a deal to join the Major League Soccer franchise

'This is a club on the rise and shares my same hunger to achieve important results in the league. I am hoping to win. I had several opportunities to play outside of Italy, but I never had a doubt in picking New York for the enthusiasm of the people that come watch the team.

'I met with the coach, Jason Kreis, and he gave me a fantastic impression of the club. He has well defined ideas in mind, and I am sure we will get on well and create a good relationship to train well and try to win together.

'Now - Yes Pirlo, Yes Party, therefore we will start celebrating together from the 20th of July. Thanks to all for having me here.'

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NYCFC manager Kreis added: 'We have said from the outset that the right player for the third DP (Designated Player) slot was worth waiting for. Nobody could question that in Pirlo we are bringing one of the best in the world and one of the finest players to come to MLS.'

The transfer was among the summer's worst kept secrets after NYCFC seemed to accidentally post his profile on their club website last week, before the 36-year-old was spotted at Yankee Stadium.

Pirlo is likely to make his debut on July 26, when his new side face Orlando at home.

During his four years with Juve, Pirlo won four Serie A titles, and played in their 2015 Champions League final defeat against Barcelona at the Olympiastadion in Berlin.

The Italian club wrote on their official website: 'Thank you maestro. You can only start with these words, the homage to Andrea Pirlo at the end of his adventure with Juventus.

'His visionary passing, pinpoint assists, spectacular goals and masterful free-kicks have been instrumental in the club's continued rise.

Pirlo pictured with Paul Pogba after their 2015 Champions League final defeat against Barcelona

Juventus confirmed Pirlo had left them to join New York City in America alongside Frank Lampard

New York City posted a player profile for Pirlo (left) on their website before swiftly deleting it minutes later

'Despite his 164 appearances, 19 goals (15 of which were free-kicks) 35 assists and seven trophies, Pirlo is a player - a man - who could never be summed up with mere statistics.

'Pirlo is silent charisma, the steadying hand in the middle of the park, the dummy that undoes the opposition defence. He's that unexpected ball that splits the game wide open, the lofted pass that brings a team to its knees.

'Thanks for what we did see, live, win in the last four years. We asked several times how we could finish it. This time Andrea has anticipated all, and decided to start a new adventure in New York.

'In these cases, we speak of "agreed termination" of the contract. We like to think of this time as more of a handshake, as a pat on the back from friends who have shared amazing experiences.

'And who keep, the one towards the other, affection, respect and deep gratitude. For Juventus and its fans, admiring Andrea, he has shared his emotions and victories, it was a pleasure and a privilege. So thanks maestro and good luck, we will follow you even across the ocean.'

David Villa welcomed his new team-mate to New York and uploaded these photographs to Twitter

Pirlo becomes the MLS club's third Designated Player after Lampard and striker David Villa, and wrote on Twitter: 'It's difficult to transform emotions into words, especially when considering four very important years in my life.

'I can only say an enormous thank you to those that have accompanied and supported me on this journey.

'The Juventus club, with the president at the helm, without forgetting every single person that works at the club: my team-mates whom I've shared a lot of battles, many laughs and a few tears; all the fans that have followed me even at times when things weren't going well... Thanks to all of you.

'It wasn't easy to decide, but the time has come to begin a new adventure. But I will never forget my link to these colours. Until the end, FORZA JUVENTUS.'

Pirlo wrote a heartfelt goodbye on Twitter for his fans at Juventus after signing for New York City